ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. x|iil. 
for the State, while others have made their appearance in 
districts widely separated from those which they were 
previously found.* In many cases their presence has been 
directly traced to imported fodder. 
(b) Prickly Pear (Opuntia), a succulent pestilent weed, 
which has been tolerated during the drought because it has 
been used to some extent as a famine food. The nearly 
spineless forms may prove to be of use, but the common 
spiny species are a pest of the worst description. 
(c) Mistletoe (Loranthus), which is increasing largely 
and killing useful trees, debilitated by the drought, and 
other causes. 
(d) Rust in cereal crops is now appearing. 
(e) Insects will probably give much trouble; they are 
getting aggressive now, also slugs and snails. They will 
directly reduce the crops and herbage that would otherwise 
be reaped aiter the drought. 
(f) Bush-fires. We had serious fires of trees and shrubs 
during the drought. We must now prepare against grass 
fires. 
(2) What are we to do? 
(a) Study the periodicity of droughts and of good and’ 
bad seasons. What can meteorologists tell us? 
(b) Study the statistics of production, of crops, stock, etc. 
(c) Educate public opinion in regard to Mr.. McMaster’s 
idea of light railways for the West for the conveyance of 
threatened stock. 
(d) Study the physical and chemical properties of our soils. 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is doing much in this 
? An instance of this is the Cape Weed, Oryptostemma calendulacea, R.Br. 
a Dandelion-looking plant, which has been sent this season from numer- 
ous New England localities as a stranger. 
